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Washington Capitals Development Camp: Various Notes for Days 4 and 5

July 14th, 2012 at 1:03 AM By Michael Stancik

With group sessions finished for the week, only two scrimmages remained for the Washington Capitals development camp invitees. Friday's action was highlighted by a 4-1 victory for the White team, tying the week-long series at two games apiece with the Red team.

How ten teams passed up on this kid is a question that I'll be happy to never understand. Sure, Forsberg has plenty of improvements to make in the next year playing with Leksand in Sweden. But his skating ability, stick-handling skills, and general feel for the game is already way beyond his 17 years of age. If he's able to polish his scoring touch and gain better overall strength, Forsberg will most certainly be in the running for a job with the Caps next season.

Tom Wilson will grind out a path to the NHL similar to how he plays his game.

Wow, this guy can hit. He has certainly been a man amongst boys in terms of physicality. If he wants to check another camp invitee, it's gonna happen. He skates similar to how he plays: powerful. Hershey Bears fans will love to see Wilson in action this year as he also adds a bit of finesse to his offensive attack. He will likely have to add a little more strength to compete with the big boys in the league. Areas of improvement include his passing skills, shooting touch, and stick-work. It's apparent that Wilson is a hard worker, and instincts say that the winger will eventually make his way into the NHL.

The free-agent signee puts everything on the tape, whether its during drills or during scrimmages. He's a smooth skater when he gets going, and the 23-year-old is another player that Hershey fans will come to love. However, there were a few plays during the scrimmage in which Schilling was caught flat-footed in the defensive zone; he will have to concentrate on his explosion and puck-handling abilities before he makes the big leap.

Surprise no. 1: David Vallorani is scrappy, and reminds one of Mathieu Perreault.

Though point statistics aren't kept (at least by the media or general public) during the scrimmages, Vallorani has easily accumulated the most points thus far. Though he stands at 5'8", the winger is very shifty with and without the puck which makes up for his size. He has great Hockey IQ; Vallorani always seems to be in the right spot for scoring chances and is a playmaker with the puck. This writer hopes the UMass-Lowell graduate is playing in the Capitals organization this season.

Surprise no. 2: Norwegian Andreas Martinsen is huge, and is certainly one to watch down the road.

Martinsen stood out to Capitals 101 even during the drills. His physical power around the net is impressive, and he has some skilled hands to make him a dangerous scorer. The free-agent invitee is 6'3", 205 pounds and can muscle his way to the net at will during scrimmages. The 22-year-old could develop into a powerful NHL forward down the road if he can improve his finishing ability and add a step or two in his speed.